Searchers comb Manitoba reserve for missing teen

The Manitoba Search and Rescue Association has joined volunteers searching for a Portage la Prairie teenager who has been missing for two weeks.

Jennifer Leigh Catcheway was last in touch with her family on June 19, the day before her 18th birthday.

Bernice Catcheway said she was all set to celebrate the special day with gifts and guests, but her daughter didn't show up. It's very out-of-character for her not to contact her family,she said.

"Not my Jennifer," she said. "She'd phone me, 2o'clock in the morning any time of the day and night, she'll call."

Tipsters have suggested Catcheway was last seen at a party on the Dakota Tipi First Nation,southwest ofPortage la Prairie.

Dozens of volunteers have been combing the brush on the reserve for clues toher whereabouts.The band has been providing food and transportation for the searchers.

"We just want to find her," said band employee Marjorie Prince."We're all mothers, too. We all have daughters, children, and we really feel for this family."

A growing number of volunteers has been searching for Catcheway. They were joined by 15 searchers and two dogs from the Manitoba Search and Rescue Association on Thursday.

"I'll take a family member and attach that person to my side, and then that person will help me in ground search-and-rescue operations," said George Leonard, who runs the MSRA program.

"It keeps the family busy. It keeps them involved in the process, and they know exactly what's happening because they're standing with one of the ground searchers."

The RCMP say they are actively following leads in the case.

Catcheway is described as an aboriginal woman with a fair complexion, medium-length brown hair and hazel eyes. She is about five feet seven inches tall and weighs about 165 pounds.

Anyone with information on Catcheway's whereabouts is asked to call the RCMP in Portage la Prairie at (204) 857-4445 or Manitoba Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.